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Family planning, from preconception to perimenopause.

One conversation for the whole picture - planning a pregnancy, choosing contraception, timing fertility, or navigating the postpartum and perimenopausal windows. FSRH-aligned, NICE-anchored, and independent.

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Indicative pricing

What private family planning costs in the UK.

Most contraception is free on the NHS through GPs, sexual health clinics and - since 2023 - community pharmacies. Private is for expedited or bespoke advice.

In short

NHS: free at the point of use. Private consultation: £150–£450.

Service Indicative range
Preconception consultation £180–£350
Contraception counselling and prescription £150–£300
LARC insertion (implant / coil) £350–£850
Fertility planning review £220–£450
Emergency contraception assessment £90–£180
Preconception genetic counselling £250–£500

Prices vary by clinician and by whether any procedures - LARC insertion, immunity blood tests, genetic screening - are done at the same visit. NHS provision remains the first-line and is often the right route.

The problem

Preconception, contraception and fertility - usually handled in silos.

Most people meet a different clinician for each life stage - and the plan starts over each time. We keep the whole thread, and the medication, immunity and UKMEC history that goes with it.

  • Trying to conceive?

    Folic acid, immunity checks, medication review and lifestyle work - ideally three months before you start.

  • At a life-stage transition?

    Postpartum, post-abortion or perimenopausal - the right plan is different, and it changes with you.

When it helps

When a family planning consultation is the right step.

The situations we see most, plus the red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.

  • Planning a pregnancy

    Folic acid 400 mcg daily (5 mg if diabetic, epileptic, BMI ≥30 or previous NTD), immunity checks and medication review three months before trying.

  • Emergency contraception

    ellaOne up to 5 days after sex, Levonelle up to 3 days, or a copper coil - the most effective option - up to 5 days.

  • Trying to conceive

    Cycle awareness, LH ovulation testing, timing advice, and when to seek fertility investigation - 12 months under 35, 6 months over.

  • Postpartum contraception

    Progestogen-only methods immediately, combined pill avoided until 6 weeks, LARC insertion from 4 weeks or in the delivery room.

  • Perimenopausal review

    Contraception is needed until age 55. A LARC alongside HRT is a valid and often elegant combination.

  • Medical conditions changing the plan

    VTE history, migraine with aura, hypertension, breast cancer - UKMEC categories that rule some methods in and others out.

  • Red flag: severe pelvic pain or bleeding

    Severe pain after coil insertion, unexplained heavy bleeding or suspected ectopic - same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.

Consultation types

One umbrella, several very different conversations.

What each type of consultation actually involves - and which fits which life stage.

  • Preconception care

    Folic acid, vitamin D, rubella and varicella immunity, chronic disease optimisation and a medication review three months before trying.

  • Contraception counselling

    A shortlist of methods matched to UKMEC categories, typical-use failure rates and side-effect profiles - not just the pill.

  • LARC insertion

    Implant, copper coil (Cu-IUD) or hormonal coil (IUS) - the most effective reversible methods and NICE first-line advice.

  • Emergency contraception

    ellaOne (5 days), Levonelle (3 days) or copper coil (5 days, most effective). Same-day advice and prescription.

  • Fertility planning

    Ovulation timing, LH testing, folate, CoQ10, vitamin D, weight and lifestyle - and a clear threshold for investigation.

  • Postpartum and post-abortion

    Contraception started immediately after abortion; postpartum options timed around breastfeeding, VTE risk and the 6-week window.

  • Perimenopausal planning

    Contraception until 55, LARC combined with HRT where useful, and a switching plan as symptoms and priorities change.

  • Preconception genetic counselling

    Cystic fibrosis carrier testing, thalassaemia and sickle cell screening, and Ashkenazi panels where family history warrants it.

Safety and eligibility

What to know, honestly, before you choose.

Family planning is low-risk when the plan matches your medical history. The details that matter are folic acid dose, UKMEC category, perfect-use vs typical-use figures, and the red flags to act on.

  • Folic acid three months before trying

    400 mcg daily for most; 5 mg if you are diabetic, epileptic, have a BMI of 30 or above, or have had a previous neural tube defect pregnancy.

  • Perfect use vs typical use

    The pill is 99% effective in perfect use and ~91% in typical use. LARC methods are >99% in both - the honest reason NICE recommends them first-line.

  • UKMEC categories matter

    Migraine with aura, VTE history, uncontrolled hypertension and current breast cancer change which methods are safe.

  • Emergency contraception windows

    ellaOne within 5 days, Levonelle within 3 days, copper coil within 5 days - the coil is by far the most effective and the only method that also prevents future pregnancies.

  • Postpartum timing

    Progestogen-only methods can start immediately. Combined hormonal contraception is avoided until 6 weeks. LARCs from 4 weeks, or in the delivery room.

  • Perimenopausal cover

    Contraception is still needed until age 55 - LARC plus HRT is a common, elegant combination and often preferred.

  • Confidentiality for young people

    Under-16s who are Fraser-competent can receive confidential contraception. We follow the same standard privately.

  • Gender-diverse care

    Contraception is offered based on anatomy and risk, not gender identity, and hormonal transition does not remove the need for it.

  • Red flags

    Severe one-sided pain after a coil, heavy or persistent bleeding, shortness of breath or calf swelling on hormonal methods - same-day medical review.

Reading your consultation note

Your consultation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever consultation type you had, the note the clinician sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK FSRH-registered clinician reviewing a patient’s family planning notes

A quiet reminder

Clinical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the note before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    What you are planning and when

    Whether you are trying to conceive, avoiding pregnancy, switching methods or reviewing at a life-stage transition.

  2. 02 Assessment

    History, UKMEC and medication review

    Medical history, BP, BMI, migraine pattern, VTE risk, current medications and any teratogenic drugs flagged for change.

  3. 03 Plan

    Method choice or preconception steps

    Contraception method with typical-use failure rate, or the preconception protocol - folic acid, immunity checks, lifestyle work.

  4. 04 Impression

    Follow-up, switching and thresholds

    Read this first: when to come back, when to switch method, and when to escalate to fertility investigation.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Insurance cover for family planning is variable - contraception is typically self-pay privately, while fertility and preconception work may be covered depending on your policy.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about family planning.

Quick answers on folic acid, LARC, emergency contraception, fertility timing and life-stage transitions.

  • What is family planning, and how is it different from contraception?

    Contraception is one part of family planning. Family planning is the whole picture: preconception care, contraception, fertility timing, and reviews at life-stage transitions like postpartum and perimenopause. One conversation, not four.

  • When should I start folic acid, and at what dose?

    Ideally three months before trying to conceive. 400 mcg daily is standard. 5 mg is the higher dose used if you are diabetic, epileptic (on some anticonvulsants), have a BMI of 30 or above, or have had a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect.

  • Which contraception method is most effective?

    Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) - implant, copper coil and hormonal coil - is more than 99% effective in both perfect and typical use. NICE recommends LARC first-line because it removes the gap between perfect and typical use that undermines the pill.

  • How long do I have for emergency contraception?

    A copper coil fitted within 5 days is the most effective option. ellaOne (ulipristal) can be taken up to 5 days after sex. Levonelle (levonorgestrel) works up to 3 days but is less effective. Sooner is always better.

  • When should I seek help for fertility?

    If you are under 35, after 12 months of regular unprotected sex without conception. If you are 35 or older, after 6 months. Sooner - straight away - if there is a known cause such as irregular periods, previous pelvic surgery, endometriosis or male-factor concern.

  • What contraception can I use after having a baby?

    Progestogen-only methods (mini-pill, implant, injection) can start immediately. The combined pill is avoided until 6 weeks postpartum because of VTE risk. LARCs can be inserted from 4 weeks, or in the delivery room by arrangement.

  • Do I still need contraception in perimenopause?

    Yes. Contraception is recommended until age 55, or 2 years after your last period under 50, or 1 year after over 50. A LARC combined with HRT is a common and effective approach.

  • Is genetic counselling available before pregnancy?

    Yes. Cystic fibrosis carrier testing, thalassaemia and sickle cell screening are NHS-funded in appropriate groups. Ashkenazi Jewish panels and other extended screening can be arranged privately where family history warrants it.

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